T5 Lighting Fixtures

OK,
I know i have been asking a lot of questions about lights but if ya'll had to sum it all up, would top 3 brands would you choose for a 48" light fixture with 4-6 bulbs (prefer 6) and around $300 give or take

 

Current Nova would be my pic.
Current USA Nova Extreme T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 4X54 Watt, 48 inch

This is the light I am currently running and I like it a lot. Not a bad price and free shipping!

 

let's see....

Jebo
Odessey

Just kidding


TEK, SunLight Supply, Geismann, Aqua Medic, Current USA

These all make good fixtures. There are more out there, I just can't think of them right now.

 

does this fixture only use the slimpaq bulbs?

 

That is what it comes with, but you can always switch them out. Their not bad bulbs though.

 

do those bulbs aren't required? I didnt know if they were a special type of bulb

 

any other opinions

 

I would go with a TEK light, its in your price range and a better light then the NOVA

 

DIY - Fulham Workhorse 5 ballasts ($20/ea and will power 2-54W T5-HO)

Cheapest option if you're handy and can build yourself a fixture to hold said ballasts and lights. You'd be able to put more bulbs for less money if needed. not sure how big your tank is, etc.

Ive used SunLight Supply fixtures with long-term success and have a friend with two Giessmans (VERY VERY NICE but pricey). I had a problem with a Current USA 48" fixture, but it was a defect and they replaced it without any additional money out of pocket so their supports good.

It all comes down to what you're trying to accomplish I guess, and what you have in the way of a canopy on the tank.

 

Oh and one other thing, HEAT. Some of the cheaper fixtures dont dissipate heat very well from what I have noticed in my uses. Ive had to add custom 80mm fans to a couple of fixtures I have.

Hence why I am building my own for my 75gal with fulham ballasts and my own aluminum case with fans and such. Again, all depends on what you need. For simplicity I would stick with the SunLIght Supply Tek lights like oceanparadise suggested, I too dislike the Nova setups after owning two of them. The one died in the first 12 months, and the other had a switch defect and they replaced the whole unit free of charge. Ive yet to have a problem with my DIY setups or the SunLight Supply